Brogden's blast at bad management

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The state Opposition yesterday attacked the Carr Government's ability to deliver its record $37.4 billion spending on infrastructure projects, saying delays and blow-outs on projects had already cost more than $515 million.

Planning, utilities and transport projects were the centrepiece of this week's state budget, with infrastructure spending up from the previous four years by $8.1 billion, or 30 per cent.

The Opposition Leader, John Brogden, said yesterday the Government was unlikely to deliver the works on time and could lead to further borrowing.

He released a list of 171 "budget blow-outs", including 114 projects delayed by an average of about 17 months and 10 by more than three years.

"Bob Carr is unable and incompetent when it comes to effectively spending infrastructure dollars," Mr Brogden said. "In some cases projects blow out, in other cases he underspends, and in other cases the project is delayed year upon year."

Mr Brogden said he based his list on budget papers, referring to projects such as the development of Royal North Shore Hospital which spent only $8 million of $22 million budgeted last year. "If this is last year's budget delays, how can we trust him to deliver on next year's budget?" Mr Brogden said.

The Government announced on Tuesday it would increase state borrowing by $2.6 billion next financial year to fund new infrastructure projects. About $8.2 billion will be spent, including $2.49 billion on transport and $1.76 billion on electricity.

The Treasurer, Andrew Refshauge, yesterday defended the building program, saying delays were an inevitable part of major works. "There are some projects that have been delayed that are totally outside our control," he said.

A spokesman for Dr Refshauge, Anthony O'Brien, said Mr Brogden's list of projects included delays and blow-outs that were caused by weather or council planning.

"The list is sheer nonsense," Mr O'Brien said. "John Brogden might be able to stop the rain some days, but we can't. A lot of work goes into these projects and things can happen where you have to reassess."

He said dams in rural NSW had been held up due to the drought and a $300 million Sydney Water project was held up because it depended on a land releases that not yet occurred.

The Government also disputed Opposition claims about increases in the public service, saying about 500 jobs - excluding nurses, teachers and police - had been added since 2000.

Dr Refshauge said a three-person committee had begun to review every government agency to propose further efficiencies, including possible wage cuts and redundancies.

The committee is expected to report to cabinet in August and is close to completing reviews of major agencies such as police, disabilities and lands.

But the Public Service Association of NSW warned cuts would lead to declines in services such as health and education.

"It doesn't matter how many committees they set up," said the association's president, Sue Walsh. "We have been cut to the bone already with so many structures and restructures. There are no areas they can cut any further without diminishing services to the public."